Combination lock construction

ABSTRACT

A combination lock structure for luggage cases and the like, having a cup member defining a forwardly opening well and a lock housing nested in the well and movable between latching and release positions. A pair of manually adjustable dial wheels carried on the front of the lock housing control hub members which extend through specially shaped openings in a fence plate or slide plate which normally locks the housing against movement from latching position. When the dial wheels are turned to the proper lock combination, the hub members permit movement of the fence plate or slide plate to a position releasing the housing for unlatching movement. The dial wheels are releasibly coupled to their associated hub members to permit relative movement for changing the combination when the lock is unlocked and in unlatching position.

United States Patent [1 1 Atkinson COMBINATION LOCK CONSTRUCTION [75]lnventor: Wallace E. Atkinson, Petersburg,

[73] Assignee: Long Manufacturing Co., Inc.,

Petersburg, Va.

[22] Filed: May 20, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 145,310

[451 Dec.4, 1973 Primary Examiner-Marvin A. Champion AssistantExaminer-Lawrence J. Staab Attorney-Mason, Fenwick & Lawrence [57]ABSTRACT A combination lock structure for luggage cases and the like,having a cup member defining a forwardly opening well and a lock housingnested in the well and movable between latching and release positions. Apair of manually adjustable dial wheels carried on the front of the lockhousing control hub members which extend through specially shapedopenings in a fence plate or slide plate which normally locks thehousing against movement from latching position. When the dial wheelsare turned to the proper lock combination, the hub members permitmovement of the fence plate or slide plate to a position releasing thehousing for unlatching movement. The dial wheels are releasibly coupledto their associated hub members to permit relative movement for changingthe combination when the lock is unlocked and in unlatching position.

12 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTED 41973 3176.006

SHEET 1 BF 2 210. m gb WALLACE E. ATKINSON ATTORNEYS 1 COMBINATION LOCKCONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates in general to acombination lock structure involving aplurality of rotatable combination dial members arranged along parallelaxis of rotation to beset to a pre-determined combination of dialnumbers for releasingthe lock, and more particularly to a combinationlock structure for application to containers or receptacles havingseparable. parts to be releasably secured in closed position, suchasluggage receptacles and the like. The particular construction hereindisclosed includes a cup member to be mounted on a luggage surface anddefine .a forwardly opening elongated well extending rearwardly inrecessed relation from the surface, in which a movable lock housing issupported for sliding or pivotal movement relative to the well betweenlatching and unlatching positions when the proper combination has beendialed, together with a latch member projecting from the movable housingto assume latching and unlatching positions relative to a keeperaperture.

While combination lockshave been used for many years in a wide varietyof locking applications, such combination locks for the most parthavebeen relatively complex and expensive construction, involving aplurality of peripherly gated tumbler wheels operated from a singledial. The present invention is concerned with a significantly simplifiedtype of combination locking mechanism suitable for less costly lockingapplications, such as for luggage cases, jewelry boxes, storage boxesfor valuables, and similar applications, wherein a plurality of dialmembers are adapted to be angularly positioned to a pre-determinedcombination number and are associated witha movable plate carried by thelocking housing in such a way as to admit movement of the housing in amanner to release the lock from latching relation to the keeper. Thedial wheels and their associated hubs are releasibly intercoupled insuch a way as to permit the combination to be changed when the lock isin unlocked or open condition.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a novelcombination lock construction applicable to a wide variety ofinstallation conditions, which is relatively simple in construction andis particularly adaptable for use on luggage receptacles and the likehaving a pair of hinged separable container sections.

Another object of the present inventionis the provision of a novelcombination lock construction which can be relatively inexpensivelymanufactured and wherein a plurality of adjustable dial members arerotatably supported in side-by-side relation on a housing memberenclosing a slidable plate serving as a bolt and movable reciprocativelybetween latching and unlatching positions in a forwardly opening .wellof a cup member.

Other I objects, advantages and capabilities of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating preferredembodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a perspective view of acombination lock mechanism embodying the present invention illustratedin closed position on a luggage receptacle;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the combination lock mechanismof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section view taken alongthe line 3-3 of .FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a'vertical section view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 isa fragmentary exploded perspective view, to enlarged scale, ofthe dial wheel and hub of one embodiment;

FIGS. 6, 6A, 7A, 7B and 8 are fragmentary exploded perspective views ofother dial wheel and hub assemblies that may be used in the combinationlock mechanisms of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of parts of a hingedpivot lock housing and combination dial wheels embodying the present:invention.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designatecorresponding parts throughout the several figures, and particularly toFIGS. 1 to 4, one embodiment of the combination lock mechanism of thepresent invention is indicated generally by the reference character 10,and comprises a latch section 11 which may, for example, be mounted on atray or body portion 12 of a luggage case, and a keeper 13 which may bemounted on the separable cover section 14 of the luggage case. The latchsection and keeper are usually mounted on the front wall of theirrespective receptacle sections adjacent the plane of separation betweenthe receptaclebody and cover, indicated by reference character 15.

The latch section 11 comprises a well or cup member 16 of generallyrectangular configuration, stamped for example from sheet metal, andhaving its majOrdimensionsextending horizontally on the front wall ofthe luggage case. The well or cup member 16 has a rectangular wellportion 17 projecting through a suitable accommodating opening 18 cut inthe front wall 12 of the luggage or container. The well 17 is bounded bya planar base panel 19, parallel bottom and top walls 20 and 21extending perpendicular to the base wall 19, and parallel endwalls 22and 23 also extending perpendicular to the base wall 19. The marginalportions of the cup member 16 on all sides thereof extend outwardlybeyond the walls 20-23 and define an integral rectangular frame 24 whichis designed to butt against the front surface of the wall 12' of theluggage and define mounting and locating flanges to be disposed flushagainst the surface of the luggage case wall 12'.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4', a rectangular lock housing member 25is recessed within the well defined by the well member 17 and has asubstantially planar front wall 26 and inwardly projecting flangesincluding top and bottom flanges 27, 27' at the longitudinal edges. ofthe front wall and end flanges 28, 28", collectively defining arearwardlyopening box-like structure. The rearmost edges of the flanges27, 27 and 28, 28' lie in a common plane paralleling and spacedrearwardly from the plane of the front wall 26, and the end flanges nearthe centers thereof have notches to receive correspondingly shapedtongues 29a of a spring plate 29 closing the rear of the box-likehousing 25. The top flange 27 has a bendable tab 270 and a hook-likeextension 30 disposed in side-by-side relation extending from the rearedge thereof, while the bottom flange 27 has an extension projectingfrom the rearmost edge thereof of substantial length having a pair oflongitudinal spaced bendable tabs 27a projecting therefrom. The bendabletab 27a and hook-like member 30 are designed to be passed through anaccommodating slot 31 at the top edge of the base panel 19, while theextension having the bendable tabs 27a are to be projected through anaccommodating elongated slot 32 in the panel 19 at the bottom edgethereof, after which the bendable tabs 27a, 27a are bent inwardlyagainst the underside of the base panel 19 to retain the lock housingmember 25 in assembled relation in the well or cup member 16. The slots31 and 32 are of appropriate length paralleling the longitudinal ormajor axis of the well member to accommodate an appropriate extent ofreciprocative movement of the housing member 25 between latching andunlatching positions.

Within the chamber defined by the front wall 26 in the flanges of thehousing member 25, progressing from front to rear, are a fence plate 34and a retaining plate 35. The fence plate has a width corresponding tothe distance between the confronting interior surfaces of the endflanges 28, 28 and is shallower than the distance between the top andbottom flanges 27, 27', to be guided for vertical movement transverse tothe major axis of the well 17, and is resiliently biased to one limitposition, for example the top or raised position as viewed in FIG. 2, bythe bowed leaf spring 36 whose ends fit in the channel-shaped recessformed along the major portion of the lower edge of the fence plate 34.The fence plate 34 also has a rearwardly projecting locking lug ortongue 34b at the mid-region of the recess 34a, which projectsrearwardly through an elongated recess b in the retaining plate 35 and asimilar recess 29b in the spring plate 29 to normally lie immediatelyadjacent the forwardly bent locking tongue 37 bent from the base panel19 of the well member with the locking lug 34b and locking tongue 37 inalignment with each other along the axis of movement of the housingmember 25. The relative location of the locking lug 34b and lockingtongue 37 when the housing 25 is in locked position is such that thelocking tongue 37 forms an abutment or stop which would prevent movementof the housing 25 toward the unlocked position within the well.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, a pair of dial wheel.assemblies 39, 39' are disposed in side-by-side relation immediatelyforwardly of the front wall 26 for rotation about parallel axesperpendicular to the plane of the front wall 26. These dial wheelassemblies 39, 39 include an annular wheel member 40 having numbers onthe front face or on the periphery thereof, as desired, and in thepreferred embodiment have a forwardly countersunk central opening 40awhich is bounded by concave notches or a serrated surface defining teeth40b, in which is releasably interfitted a hub member 41. In theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, the hub member has four teeth orribs, indicated at 41a, to interfit in the concave notches of thecentral opening 40a of the wheel member 40 at any of tendifferentangular positions corresponding to the ten numbers on the wheelmember of the dial wheel assembly, and a flange or enlarged headformation 49f at the forward end of the hub to interfit in thecountersunk portion of opening 40a. The hub member 41 of each dial wheelassembly has a generally cylindrical shank portion rearwardly of theteeth shaped near its rearmost end to define a non-round gating orcontrol portion having a flat 41b thereon at one angular position, andhas a constricted diameter cylindrical extension 41c projecting from itsrearmost end which interfits into the similarly sized circular openings350 in the retaining plate 35 and is deformed to provide a retaininghead or enlargement rearwardly of plate 35 in a conventional manner.

The portions of the hub members 41 designed to occupy the openings 40aare rendered spring-like or resiliently yieldable by providing diametriccross-cuts 41d of an appropriate axial depth therein, whereby thequadrant portions 41e defined by the cross-cuts and carrying the fourteeth or ribs 41a position the'teeth so that they are normallyinterfitted in the notches of openings 40a but are capable of beingflexed inwardly to permit relative angular movement or rotation of thehub 41 with respect to its associated dial wheel 40 to assume a newcombination position. Rearwardly of the portions in the dial wheelopenings 40a and in the front wall openings 26a, the hub members haveflats 41b which extend through the specially shaped openings 34c in thefence plate 34. It will be observed from the drawings that the openings34c are of semi-circular configuration concentric with the axes of thehub members over the upper halves of the openings 34c, as viewed in FIG.2, but that the lower halves of the openings 34c are rectangular. Thus,when the wheel members 40 and their associated hub members 41 are atappropriate angular positions to dispose the flats 41b in downwardlyfacing positions, the fence plate 34 is then free to be displacedupwardly by the bowed leaf spring 36, thereby displacing the locking lug34b upwardly above the level where it would be intercepted by thelocking tongue 37 upon attempted movement of the housing 25 towardunlocking position. The housing 25 is then released for movement fromthe locking to the unlocking positions.

The spring plate 29 has a rearwardly projecting detent nose 29b formedby distorting the spring plate 29, which extends into either detentsockets 19a and 19b in the base panel 19 at the locked and unlockedpositions of the housing 25, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4,or may coact with a forwardly distorted nose formation in the base panel19, to in either case resiliently restrain the housing 25 in theposition to which it has been manually adjusted.

The hub members 41 are frictionally retained in the angular positions towhich they have been adjusted, relative to .their associated wheelmembers 40, by the interfitting of the projections 41a in the notches ofdial wheel openings 40a, until the dial wheels are forced to new angularpositions while the hubs are held stationary. This may be accomplishedwhen the existing combination has been dialed and the housing 25 isshifted to release or unlocking position. At the unlocking position, thelocking lug 34b is disposed above the stationary locking tongue 37, thusholding the fence plate 34 in the raised position where the rectangularlower halves of fence plate openings 34b seat against the hub flats 41band hold the hubs against rotation. The'dial wheels 40 can then beforceably rotated to new angular positions establishing new combinationsfo the lock, as desired by the owner. In one example, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 5, the hubs 41 have four teeth to interfit at variousrelative angular positions with the notches or serrations in theopenings 40a having for example, twenty notches.

Another form of dial wheel and hub assembly is illustrated in FIG. 6. Inthis form, the hub member 41 has an enlarged head 41d disposed forwardlyof the dial wheel 40' and a cylindrical shank portion 41a having asmooth cylindrical surface, located in the center opening 40a.Rearwardly of the shank 41a is a flat 41b like the fiat 41b of the FIG.5 form and a constricted diameter rearward end portion 41c to fit in theopenings 350 in plate 35. The dial wheels 40 are of molded plastic andhave a plurality of circumferentially spaced cavities 40b in outwardlyencircling relation to center opening 40a forming the bounding surfaceof the openings 40a. The dial wheel portions between these cavities 40bdefine fingers or narrow gripping ribs 400 about the opening 40a whichyieldably engage the shank 41a' of the associated hub and frictionallyretain the dial wheel and hub against relative angular movement.However, when the combination has been dialed and the fence plate 34 isheld by the lug 34b and underlying tongue 37 in unlatching position, thefence plate holds the hubs 41' against rotation and the dial wheels 40'can then be forcibly rotated to new combination positions by the owner,just as with the first-described embodiment.

It will be noted that the dial wheel 40 shown in FIG. 5 and the dialwheel 40 shown in FIG. 6 have the dial numbers on the periphery of thedial wheel, rather than on the forwardly facing surface thereof, as thedial wheels can obviously be provided with the dial number locatedeither on the cylindrical periphery or on the forwardly facing surface,as desired.

FIG. 6A illustrates another form of dial wheel and hub assembly, whereinthe dial wheel 50 is similar to the dial wheel 40 but has a smoothcylindrical surface 50b bounding the central opening 50a. The fenceplate 34' of the lock assembly in this embodiment has an opening 340'which is shaped differently from the previously described opening 34c asit includes an upper enlarged circular portion and a lower narrowextension 34c". The hub member 51 in this embodiment includes a slightlyenlarged head portion 51a at the forwardend which is subdivided intofour quadrants by diametric cross-cuts 51b to render 1 the head portion51a spring-like or resiliently yieldable. Rearwardly of the head portion51a is a cylindrical shank portion 510 having a non-round gating orcontrol portion shaped to define a generally T-shaped end formation 51dformed of a semi-cylindrical portion and a radially extending ribportion 51d, the latter being sized to interfit into the extension 340"of the opening 34c in the fence plate 34'. A constricted diametercylindrical extension 51e may also be provided to fit into the openings35c in the plate 35 and be enlarged rearwardly thereof. The centeropening 50b of the dial wheel 50 has a large diameter cylindricalportion opening through the forward face of the dialwheel which is of adiameterrelative to the normal outer diameter of the head portion 51a ofthe hub to form a tight friction fit therewith, so that the resilientlyyieldable quadrant sections defined by the cross-cuts 51b arefrictionally restrained against relative rotation within the largercross-section portion of the central opening 50b. A thin constricteddiameter rim is provided at the rearmost end of the opening 50b havingan inner diameter sized to receive and permit rotation of the shankportion 510 of the hub. When the o 6 combination has been dialed and thefence plate 34' is moved upwardly by interfitting of the extension 34c"of'the opening in fence plate34 with the radial rib portion 51d of thehub and the fence plate is held in the upwardly displaced or unlatchingposition by the tongue 37 underlying the lug 34b, the fence plate holdsthe hubs 51 against rotation and the dial wheels 50 can then beforceably rotated to new combination positions by the owner, as wasdescribed in connection with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 7A shows another form of dial and hub assembly, wherein the dialwheel 60 is of rearwardly opening cup shaped configuration having acylindrical perimeter 60a surrounding a rearwardly opening cylindricalcavity 60b and located concentrically relative to a center opening 600in the front face of the dial wheel. The hub 61 in this embodiment hasan enlarged diameter cylindrical head portion 61a at its forward endsized to frictionally interfit in the cylindrical cavity 60b of the dialwheel, from which a smaller diameter portion projects including thecylindrical shank portions 61b and the non-round gating portion thereofdefined by the flat 61c at one angular position along the shank of thehubf Thehub also has a bore 61d extending therethrough corresponding tothe center hole 600 in the dial wheel 60, .and a headed rivet 62 extendsthrough the opening 60c in the bore 61d to project through and beenlarged rearwardly of, the holes 350 in plate 35 to retain the dialwheels 60 and hub 61 in assembled relation. The relative diameters-ofthe cylindrical cavity 60b and the enlarged head portions 61a of thewheel and hub are sized so that the hub is normally frictionally heldagainst relative rotation with respect to the wheel, but when the propercombination has been dialed and the fence plate 34 is displaced to andheld in the unlatching position, the fence plate holds the hub 61against rotation and the dial wheels 40 can then be forceably rotated tonew combination positions by the owner to establish a new combination.

FIG. 7B discloses yet another construction of the dial wheel and hubassembly, wherein the dial wheel is in the form of a rearwardly openingcup of similar construction as the dial wheel 60, having an annularcylindrical rim 70a bounding a forwardly opening cylindrical cavity 70band including a central opening 700 which is of larger diameter than theopening'60c. The hub member 71 has an enlarged head portion 71a at itsforward end of cylindrical configuration to frictionally fit into and berestrained normally against relative angular movement within the cavity70b, and includes a rearwardly projecting, smaller diameter shankportion 71b having a flat 71c in its gating portion, and a constricteddiameter cylindrical rearward end portion 71d projecting from the shank71b to interfit in the openings 35c of the plate 35.

Still another form of dial and wheel assembly is illustrated in FIG. 8,wherein the dial wheel is of cylindrical configuration, having the dialnumbers on the cylindrical periphery 80a, and having a central opening80b and a plurality of shallow recesses or grooves 800 in the front faceof the dial wheel extending radially from the central opening 80b. Thehub member 81 has a cylindrical shank portion 81a including a flat 81bnear the rear portion thereof and a rearwardly extending, constricteddiameter end portion 81c to interfit in the openings 350 of the plate35. Additionally, the hub 81a includes an enlarged'diameter head portion81d at its forward end having radially extending teeth 8le projectingrearwardly from the rearmost face of the head portion 81d to interfit inthe radially extending recesses 80c of the dial wheel member 80. A wavyor undulating spring disc 82 having a central opening 82a of appropriatediameter to accommodate the cylindrical shank portion 81a of the hub isdisposed between each dial wheel 80 and the front wall 26 of the lockhousing number 25 to resiliently bias each dial wheel 80 forwardly tointerengage its radial recesses 80c with the teeth 8le of the enlargedhead of the hub member 81. When the proper combination has been dialedand the fence plate 35 is displaced to the unlatching position whereinthe fence plate restrains the hub members 81 against rotation, the dialmembers 80 can then be manually rotated to new combination positionsrelative to the hub members 81, as the spring disc 82 will permitsufficient rearward axial movement of the dial wheels 80 duringattempted rotation thereof to withdraw the teeth 8le from the recesses80c and interfit them inother recesses 80c then the ones in which theywere previously located.

It will be appreciated that each of the dial wheel and hub assembliesillustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, 6A, 7A, 7B and 8 may be employed in othertypes of latch and lock structures than the type shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.For example, each of these types of dial wheel and hub assemblies can beemployed in a luggage lock of the type illustrated in U.S. Pat. No.3,464,240 issued to Leo L. Brody and the'applicant of the presentapplication, wherein the lock housing is a hinged or pivoted membernormally located in recessed position within the well of a cup memberand which may be arcuately swung outwardly from the well to an unlatchedposition upon operation of a finger operated actuator or slide plate.The relevant components of the lock structure shown in said earlier US.Pat. No. 3,464,240 are illus-- trated in FIG. 9, the referencecharacters of FIG. 9 used herein being three digit reference charactersin the one hundred series in which the last two digits correspond to thereference characters used in said US. Pat. No. 3,464,240. As illustratedin FIG. 9, the lock housing member is formed by the latch body 127having bendable tongues 134 which are bent inwardly toward each otherabout the back of a rear tongue plate 135 having integral, rearwardlyprojecting, duplicate latch tongues 136 extending from the top andbottom edges thereof adapted to project into a keeper loop extendingthrough either of the keeper slots in the top or bottom walls of the cupmember of the luggage latch assembly. Interposed between the tongueplate 135 and the front wall of the latch body 127 is anactuator orslide plate 138 having an integral finger piece formation 139 on the endthereof which normally projects beyond the free end of the latch body127 to be exposed to manipulation by the finger of the operator.Supported forwardly of the front wall 127' of the latch body 127 by acover member 90 are a pair of dial wheel and hub assemblies 39, 39'. Inthe embodiment illustrated, the cover member 90 has bendable tabs 90a atthe ends and sides thereof to extend through accommodating slots in thefront wall 127 of the latch body 127 and be bent inwardly or outwardlyto mount to cover member 90 on the latch body 127. Outwardly convex,rearwardly projecting flanges 90b are provided at the opposite ends ofthe cover member 90, and flange segments 90c are provided in the medialportions along the sides of the cover member 90, to properly locate andpermit rotation of the dial wheels 40 of the assemblies 39, 39' againstthe front wall 127, while the hubs 41 extend rearwardly through circularopenings 127a in the latch body front wall. The rear portions of thehubs have flats or other non-round gating formations thereon normallylocated in the circular portions of the openings 138a in the actuator orslide plate 138. When the dial wheel and hub assemblies are employed inthe type of latch and lock construction disclosed in FIG. 9, there is noneed for any flanges or enlarged heads at the front ends of the hubs andno need for constricted diameter rearwardly projecting end portionssimilar to the end portions 410, as the dial wheel and hub units areretained in assembled relation between the cover member 90 and tongueplate 135. The dial wheels and hubs of the lock assembly illustrated inFIG. 9 may be releasibly restrained against relative rotation by any ofthe arrangements illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, 6A, 7A, 7B or 8, so that thehubs are normally restrained against relative rotation with respect tothe dial wheels but the dial wheels may be rotated to new combinationpositions relative to the hubs when the slide member 138 is held in theinwardly displaced, release position wherein the rear portions of thehubs occupied by the flats 41b are disposed in the extensions 138a ofthe openings in the actuator or slide plate 138. The dial members areprovided on the front faces of the dial wheels 40 in this embodiment,and are viewed through slight holes 90d in the cover member 90.

It will be apparent that the T-type gating formation as indicated at 51din FIG. 6A can be provided on the hub members used with the swinginglatch housing of FIG. 9 as well as other hub end formations. Forexample, a radial slot may be provided in the inner end portion of thehub, coactive with a complemental tongue or nose at a side of theopenings in the actuator 138 to permit the actuator to be moved torelease position when the proper combination is dialed, or a smalleccentric boss may be provided on the inner end of each hub, and acircular opening encompassing the path of rotation of the respectivebosses provided in the actuator, each opening having an extensionslot-for the boss of each hub to accommodate releasing movement of theactuator when the proper combination has been dialed.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination lock assembly comprising a keeper, a movable latchmember supported for movement between latching and release positionsincluding a housing and a formation to be projected into interlockingrelation with said keeper, a pair of rotatable dial assemblies includingdial wheels carried at the front of said housing for manipulation toangular positions. forming a selected combination and hub memberscoupled therewith for rotation with the dial wheels and extending intosaid housing, a slide member guided for movement within the housingperpendicular to the dial wheel axes between release and lockingpositions, said slide member and hubs having coactive shaped surfacesfor restraining said slide member at locking position when the dialwheels are displaced from the selected 9 dial wheels having openings forreceiving hub portions therein, said dial wheels and hubs havingcontacting confronting surfaces for releasibly intercoupling the dialwheels and hubs together at selected relative angular positionsestablishing the combination for the lock, a pair of relativelyperpendicular diametric cross cuts extending through the hub I portionsoccupying said openings of said dial wheels rendering the regions of thehub portions within said openings flexible radially inwardly to releasethe hubs from said dial wheels for permitting manual rotation of thedial wheels toother angular positions relative to their hubs forestablishing other combinations for the lock when the hubs are held bythe slide member in its release position.

2. A combination lock assembly as defined in claim I, wherein said dialwheels each have a center opening having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced recesses in the surface of the opening, andeach of said hubs have projections at a location thereon to interfitinsaid recesses at any of a plurality of different angular positionsrelative to the associated dial wheel for establishing the combinationof the lock assembly.

3. A combination lock assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said hubsare each in the form of a separable member havinga front hub portionreleasibly seated in the opening of one of said dial wheels capable ofangular movement relative thereto, and wherein the contactingconfronting surfaces of the dial wheel and hubs normally restraining thefront hub portions in the dial wheel openings with a frictional forcewhich is sufficiently releasible when the front hub portions flexinwardly to be overcome upon manual rotation of the dial wheels when thehubs are held by the slide member in its release position.

4. A combination lock assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein saiddialwheels each have a center opening having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced recesses in the surface of the openingproviding a plurality of circumferentially spaced, narrow substantiallyline of contact surfaces engaging confronting surfaces of the hubs.

5. A combination lock assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein each ofsaid hubs have a flat formation thereon adjacent said slide member, saidslide member having openings defining shaped surfaces thereof forcooperating with each, of said hubs including round portions normallymaintaining the slide member in locking position and non-round portionscoactive with said flat formations to permit movement of the slidemember to release position at selected angular positions of the hubs.

6. A combination lock assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein each ofsaid hubs have a flat formation thereon adjacent said slide member, saidslide member having openings defining shaped surfaces thereof forcooperating with each of said hubs including round portions normallymaintaining the slide member in locking position and non-round portionscoactive with said flat formations to permit movement of the slidemember to release position at selected angular positions of the hubs.

7. A combination lock assembly adapted to be mounted on first and secondwall portions of separable sections of a container adjacent a line ofseparation therebetween for securing the sections together, comprising akeeper to be affixed to the first wall portion,

tion including an elongated base member, a latch memportions havingmeans normally restraining said fence plate at locking positionincluding coactive formations accommodating movement of the fence plateto release position when the dial wheels occupy said selectedcombination, the fence plate having means for holding the hubs againstrotation when the: fence plate is at release position, said dial wheelshaving openings for receiving parts of the hub portions thereinproviding confronting contacting intercoupling surface formations forreleasibly gripping the same together at selected angular positionsestablishing the combination of the lock, a pair of relativelyperpendicular diametric cross cuts extending through the hub portionsoccupying said openings rendering the regions of the hub portionstherein flexible radially inwardly to release the dial wheels from saidhubs to permit manual rotation of the dial wheels to other angularpositions relative to their hubs for establishing other combinations forthe lock when the hubs are held by the fence plate in its releaseposition.

8. A combination lock assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein saiddialwheels each have a center opening having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced recesses in the surface of the opening, andeach of said hub por-- tions have projections at a location thereon tointerfit in said recesses at any of a plurality of different angularpositions relative to the associated dial wheel for establishing thecombination of the lock assembly.

9. A combination lock assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein each ofsaid hub portions have a flat formation thereon adjacent said fenceplate, and said fence plate being movable in a direction transverse tothe dial wheel axes and parallel to said wall portions between releaseand locking positions, and fence plate having openings for each of saidhub portions including round a latching unit to be mounted on saidsecond wall por- 7 portions normally maintaining the fence plate inlocking position and non-round portions coactive with said flatformations to permit movement of the fence plate to release position atselected angular positions of the hub portions.

10. A combination lock assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said basemember includes a base panel paralleling said wall portions, anoutwardly projecting first lug on said base panel, and an inwardlyprojecting second lug on said fence plate disposed in interceptingalinement with the first lug alonga path of movement of the fence platetoward release position when said fence plate is in locking position,said second lug being displaced transversely of the axis of said pathwhen the fence plate is moved to said release position.

11. A combination lock assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein saidlatching unit comprises a cup member defining a forwardly openingelongated cavity bounded by an outer marginal frame, said housing beinga boxlike substantially rectangular member nested insaid by an outermarginal frame, said housing being a substantially rectangular membernested in said cavity for pivotal movement outwardly of the cavitybetween said latching and release positions, said housing having a frontpanel which is substantially flush with the plane of said outer marginalframe, and said dial wheels being disposed outwardly of said plane.

1. A combination lock assembly comprising a keeper, a movable latchmember supported for movement between latching and release positionsincluding a housing and a formation to be projected into interlockingrelation with said keeper, a pair of rotatable dial assemblies includingdial wheels carried at the front of said housing for manipulation toangular positions forming a selected combination and hub members coupledtherewith for rotation with the dial wheels and extending into saidhousing, a slide member guided for movement within the housingperpendicular to the dial wheel axes between release and lockingpositions, said slide member and hubs having coactive shaped surfacesfor restraining said slide member at locking position when the dialwheels are displaced from the selected combination and shaped toaccommodate movement of the slide member to release position when thedial wheels occupy said selected combination, said slide member havingmeans restraining the hubs against rotation at the release position ofthe slide member, said dial wheels having openings for receiving hubportions therein, said dial wheels and hubs having contactingconfronting surfaces for releasibly intercoupling the dial wheels andhubs together at selected relative angular positions establishing thecombination for the lock, a pair of relatively perpendicular diametriccross cuts extending through the hub portions occupying said openings ofsaid dial wheels rendering the regions of the hub portions within saidopenings flexible radially inwardly to release the hubs from said dialwheels for permitting manual rotation of the dial wheels to otherangular positions relative to their hubs for establishing othercombinations for the lock when the hubs are held by the slide member inits release position.
 2. A combination lock assembly as defined in claim1, wherein said dial wheels each have a center opening having aplurality of circumferentially spaced recesses in the surface of theopening, and each of said hubs have projections at a location thereon tointerfit in said recesses at any of a plurality of different angularpositions relative to the associated dial wheel for establishing thecombination of the lock assembly.
 3. A combination lock assembly asdefined in claim 1, wherein said hubs are each in the form of aseparable member having a front hub portion releasibly seated in theopening of one of said dial wheels capable of angular movement relativethereto, and wherein the contacting confronting surfaces of the dialwheel and hubs normally restraining the front hub portions in the dialwheel openings with a frictional force which is sufficiently releasiblewhen the front hub portions flex inwardly to be overcome upon manualrotation of the dial wheels when the hubs are held by the slide memberin its release positIon.
 4. A combination lock assembly as defined inclaim 1, wherein said dial wheels each have a center opening having aplurality of circumferentially spaced recesses in the surface of theopening providing a plurality of circumferentially spaced, narrowsubstantially line of contact surfaces engaging confronting surfaces ofthe hubs.
 5. A combination lock assembly as defined in claim 1, whereineach of said hubs have a flat formation thereon adjacent said slidemember, said slide member having openings defining shaped surfacesthereof for cooperating with each of said hubs including round portionsnormally maintaining the slide member in locking position and non-roundportions coactive with said flat formations to permit movement of theslide member to release position at selected angular positions of thehubs.
 6. A combination lock assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein eachof said hubs have a flat formation thereon adjacent said slide member,said slide member having openings defining shaped surfaces thereof forcooperating with each of said hubs including round portions normallymaintaining the slide member in locking position and non-round portionscoactive with said flat formations to permit movement of the slidemember to release position at selected angular positions of the hubs. 7.A combination lock assembly adapted to be mounted on first and secondwall portions of separable sections of a container adjacent a line ofseparation therebetween for securing the sections together, comprising akeeper to be affixed to the first wall portion, a latching unit to bemounted on said second wall portion including an elongated base member,a latch member supported on said base member for movement betweenlatching and release positions, said latch member including a housinghaving a catch projecting into selected alinement with said keeper forinterlocking engagement therewith, a pair of rotatable dial wheelsdisposed at the front of said housing for manipulation to angularpositions forming a selected combination, each of the respective dialwheels having hub portions coupled therewith and extending into saidhousing, a fence plate guided within the housing for movement betweenrelease and locking positions, said fence plate and hub portions havingmeans normally restraining said fence plate at locking positionincluding coactive formations accommodating movement of the fence plateto release position when the dial wheels occupy said selectedcombination, the fence plate having means for holding the hubs againstrotation when the fence plate is at release position, said dial wheelshaving openings for receiving parts of the hub portions thereinproviding confronting contacting intercoupling surface formations forreleasibly gripping the same together at selected angular positionsestablishing the combination of the lock, a pair of relativelyperpendicular diametric cross cuts extending through the hub portionsoccupying said openings rendering the regions of the hub portionstherein flexible radially inwardly to release the dial wheels from saidhubs to permit manual rotation of the dial wheels to other angularpositions relative to their hubs for establishing other combinations forthe lock when the hubs are held by the fence plate in its releaseposition.
 8. A combination lock assembly as defined in claim 7, whereinsaid dial wheels each have a center opening having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced recesses in the surface of the opening, andeach of said hub portions have projections at a location thereon tointerfit in said recesses at any of a plurality of different angularpositions relative to the associated dial wheel for establishing thecombination of the lock assembly.
 9. A combination lock assembly asdefined in claim 7, wherein each of said hub portions have a flatformation thereon adjacent said fence plate, and said fence plate beingmovable in a direction transverse to the dial wheel axes and parallel tosaid wall portions betwEen release and locking positions, and fenceplate having openings for each of said hub portions including roundportions normally maintaining the fence plate in locking position andnon-round portions coactive with said flat formations to permit movementof the fence plate to release position at selected angular positions ofthe hub portions.
 10. A combination lock assembly as defined in claim 7,wherein said base member includes a base panel paralleling said wallportions, an outwardly projecting first lug on said base panel, and aninwardly projecting second lug on said fence plate disposed inintercepting alinement with the first lug along a path of movement ofthe fence plate toward release position when said fence plate is inlocking position, said second lug being displaced transversely of theaxis of said path when the fence plate is moved to said releaseposition.
 11. A combination lock assembly as defined in claim 7, whereinsaid latching unit comprises a cup member defining a forwardly openingelongated cavity bounded by an outer marginal frame, said housing beinga box-like substantially rectangular member nested in said cavity forsliding movement therein between said latching and release positions,said housing having a front panel which is substantially flush with theplane of said outer marginal frame, and said dial wheels being disposedoutwardly of said plane.
 12. A combination lock assembly as defined inclaim 8, wherein said latching unit comprises a cup member defining aforwardly opening elongated cavity bounded by an outer marginal frame,said housing being a substantially rectangular member nested in saidcavity for pivotal movement outwardly of the cavity between saidlatching and release positions, said housing having a front panel whichis substantially flush with the plane of said outer marginal frame, andsaid dial wheels being disposed outwardly of said plane.